Despite the fact, Brainiac is on the cover, Superman Annual #2 is a Lois Lane, investigative reporter story. Spanning five years including when Metropolis was invaded by The Collector (Grant Morrison’s Action Comics), we see some of the residual effects of that event in the present time.

Preview pages of this Scott Lobdell story with art by Dan Jurgens (Death of Superman, creator of Doomsday and Booster Gold) showed a Lois Lane dying from a fall. Fans were upset as this would be the sixth time a dying or dead Lois has been used in the past two years. Soap opera much? Lois has been used as death fodder to help the fauxmance along.

One unusual thing about this annual is that it is not a stand alone. It is part of a story arc concerning a Psi War. Lobdell is currently writing both Superman and Action Comics (after Andy Diggle left). Lobdell probably needed the panel space before Greg Pak takes over Action in #25.

Despite Lobdell’s previous use of narration boxes from some omniscient non-vested entity, we see and ‘hear’ this story from Lois’ perspective. It appears to be a solid story and hopefully Lobdell can continue this quality throughout this arc. We just wish Lobdell would quit TELLING us stuff that happened with Clark/Superman and Lois in the five year gap — we’d like to SEE it!

This is the best and truly first time we see Superman come to Lois’ rescue in the new 52. In fact, it may be the most interaction they have had since the reboot. Jurgens continues to make us feel what happens between these two ICONIC characters. (Caps for Didio’s benefit.)

Scott Lobdell has made Lois Lane the mother of her and Clark’s son, Jonathon Kent (from the future) and Connor Kent (Superboy). In fact, she is Kon’s double mother, in that Connor not only has Jon’s DNA but also another set of DNA from Lois and Clark. Clark’s was taken when he was tortured by the military in early issues of new 52 Action and Lois . . . we never were told when Harvest (the villain) took her DNA. Since Superboy has psionic powers, is it possible that Lois’ blood was obtained sometime after the events in this issue?

The Superman books under Lobdell have been a chaotic mess, not only writing wise but also editorially. DCE definitely has its problems with hodge-podging stories while ‘getting them out on time.’ And with their fierce ‘scrutiny’ of Superman’s story and lack of planning, this makes reading these books . . . painful.

Currently, there are only three Superman related books that give us enjoyment every time. Superman Unchained by Scott Snyder, Smallville Season 11 by Bryan Q Miller and Adventures of Superman by various creators. Check them out!

Greg Pak is currently writing Batman/Superman and has included Earth 2 Lois Lane (married to Superman) in the story. Unfortunately, with the fauxmance bias, readers got panels of Wonder Woman stabbing a Lois. Pak says he enjoys writing Lois. Let’s hope he is able to enjoy writing her when he takes over Action in the late fall.

One book we hope that Lois Lane does not appear in is the Superman/Woman Wonder book. Or better known by fans as, “the book that shall not be named.” With DCE’s consistent killing of Lois Lane, we can foresee them totally throwing Lois under the bus in this book just to make Diana be the ‘prize winner’ of Superman. It’s what little boys do when they get together and talk trash about girls.

Will we see more Lois in the future? Perhaps, but more likely, perhaps not. In September, there is Villains Month. The evil ones win the Trinity War (oops, did I say that outloud?) but that’s not all folks. From October to March we get to see Forever Evil. (Forever in comic book stories is only 6 months long). That’s right, if you read superhero comics to see good triumph over evil, save yourself some money and buy Christmas and Valentine presents. Evil is going to rule the DCU from now on (or at least until tax time).

Is it a coincidence the book that shall not be named kicks off the Forever Evil arc?

Superman needs to get his act together and pursue Lois Lane or the entire world will end . . . period.